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Artist
Django Reinhardt
12+ albums
jazzswinggypsy jazzguitarjazz guitar
about
Jean "Django" Reinhardt (23 January 1910 - 16 May 1953) was a Belgian guitarist and composer credited with popularizing Gypsy jazz, as well as conceptualizing the style together with several other Gypsy musicians. Reinhardt's nickname purportedly means "I Awake" in the Romani language; however, it may also have been a diminutive or a local Walloon version of "Jean." He severely injured two of the digits on his left hand as a youth and changed his guitar playing style to adapt to his handicap. Together with violinist Stéphane Grappelli, he founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France, regarded as one of the most innovative recording groups in the history of jazz music. Born in Liberchies, Pont-à-Celles, Belgium into a family of Manouche Gypsies, Jean Reinhardt learned to play several instruments such as the banjo, violin and guitar from an early age; he spent most of his youth in Gypsy encampments close to Paris. His family made a living from crafting furniture, but included several amateur musicians who inspired Reinhardt. Eventually, Reinhardt was given a banjo-guitar, at which point he stopped playing the violin. During this period, he was inspired by two older Gypsy musicians, Gusti Mahla and Jean Castro. Able to make a living from his music from his teen years onwards, playing in bal-musette halls in Paris, Reinhardt received little formal education until his adult life; fellow band member Stéphane Grappelli taught him the rudiments of literacy. At the age of eighteen, R
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albums
The Best Of Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli
Djangologie Vol6 / 1937
Django Reinhardt: Legendary Recordings
Djangologie Vol9 / 1939 - 1940
Crazy Rhythm
All Star Sessions
Djangology 49
Paris & London: D Paris 1939 -1940
Trésors Django Reinhardt
Disk C Paris & London (Paris &
In A Sentimental Mood